Northumberland National Park is named best in the world

David Sedgwick

Officials at a national park are celebrating after it was named the best in the world.

The breathtaking landscapes in Northumberland National Park has helped it top Condé Nast Traveller’s list of the world’s best National Parks.

This is a remarkable achievement and we’re delighted to be ranked top of Condé Nast Traveller’s best National Parks in the world

Tony Gates, chief executive of Northumberland National Park Authority

And after celebrating the news, the team at Northumberland National Park Authority is hoping the recognition will bring greater awareness of all the National Park has to offer to visitors.

Landmarks include the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hadrian’s Wall, historic Pennine Way and Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park, as well as more than 400 square miles of history, tranquillity and scenery – along with a wealth of hidden gems.

In its description of Northumberland National Park, Condé Nast Traveller, said: “England’s northernmost (and least populated) national park encompasses more than rolling moorlands – the UNESCO World Heritage site also contains a section of Roman Emperor Hadrian’s legendary wall.”

It places Northumberland National Park first in the list of its five ‘best’ National Parks around the world, alongside other iconic destinations including Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in Wales, Gran Paradiso National Park in Italy, Pirin National Park in Bulgaria and Greece’s Olympus National Park.

Chief executive of Northumberland National Park Authority, Tony Gates, said: “This is a remarkable achievement and we’re delighted to be ranked top of Condé Nast Traveller’s best National Parks in the world.

“It was truly a ‘wow’ moment when we realised that our National Park right here in the North East of England had been ranked alongside the likes of the amazing Olympic National Park in Greece and Gran Paradiso in Italy.

“It is our hope that this international recognition will really help to put Northumberland National Park on the map and attract more visitors to our stunning destination.

“The diversity we have on offer in the National Park is incredible.

“You can go from walking in the footsteps of the Romans, to stepping further back in time at Iron Age Hillforts; taking in the panoramic views into Scotland from the Border Ridge to sampling the local produce and crafts of the Park’s many skilled artisans.

“Whatever you’re looking for – whether flora, fauna, countryside activities, history, culture including the distinctive Northumbrian music and dialect or simply just somewhere to escape from it all – we have it in abundance.”

The praise for Northumberland National Park comes after a string of recent successes and exciting developments, designed to make the Park more accessible to visitors around the region and beyond.

Northumberland National Park Authority recently launched a brand new ‘visitor-friendly’ website to help people access all the information they need at the touch of a button.

After successfully achieving a £7.8m Heritage Lottery Fund grant, construction is also set to begin on The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre later this year. Northumberland National Park Authority in partnership with YHA (England and Wales), is pioneering this transformational opportunity to help more people learn about and explore Britain’s finest landscapes.

For more information about Northumberland National Park Authority, visit www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk